(New York Daily News) A popular Vermont high school teacher has been placed on leave after surrendering a Bushmaster semi-automatic rifle to police who became “alarmed” over his angry rants about his job.

Steven Davis was briefly hospitalized this week for a mental health evaluation on the recommendation of Bennington police. By Saturday, Davis had been discharged from Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, a hospital official told the Daily News. She would not provide any other information.

Davis voluntarily surrendered the Bushmaster AR-15, the same rifle used in the Newtown, Conn. massacre, as well as two high-capacity magazines on Monday, said Bennington Police Chief Paul Doucette. Police later seized about 500 rounds of ammunition during a search of Davis’ home.